How to use shea butter on natural hair

Written by amara mandeln

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Treat natural hair with Shea butter to make it silky, smooth, and manageable. (sexy black woman image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com)

Shea butter is a natural emollient extracted from the seeds of the Karité tree, a perennial tree indigenous to the tropics of Africa. Shea butter is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and also boasts anti-inflammatory properties. Its moisturising and conditioning properties makes it a favourite treatment for natural hair, which can often be unruly and unmanageable. Shea butter protects dry and damaged hair by sealing in moisture. It is also used to treat dandruff, psoriasis and other scalp problems. For best results, use unrefined Shea butter as a leave-in treatment once or twice a week.

Skill level:

Easy

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Things you need

Unrefined Shea butter

Natural oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil

Wooden comb

Towel

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Instructions

1

Purchase raw (unrefined) Shea butter. Refined Shea butter is treated with chemicals to lighten its colour and reduce the potency of its smell. However, many of the vitamins and minerals are lost in the refining process, making it less effective as a hair treatment.

2

Mix a small amount of the natural oil into the Shea butter. Try olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or any other natural oil of your choice. Use one part oil to four parts Shea butter. Whip the mixture until the Shea butter has softened enough to use as a cream.

3

Shampoo and towel dry your hair. Your hair should be damp, but not wet, prior to applying the Shea butter mixture.

4

Apply 1 tbsp of the Shea butter and oil mixture to your hair. Massage it gently into your scalp and comb the mixture through to the ends. Use 1/2 tbsp if your hair is less than shoulder length.